'Fake' chalaans prompts CID probe

 COAL SYNDICATE

By a Staff Reporter

Guwahati, March 16: In the wake of the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Nirmal Baishya, by the Assam CID to probe the coal syndicate operating in the State, there is a growing suspicion that the racket is inter-State involving both Assam and Meghalaya.

The CID suspects that some of the coal-laden trucks are carring fake chalaans. Such chalaans are fake as they are self-signed and self-sealed while they look exactly the same as the origil ones are. These are carried without paying any royalty, thus causing huge loss to the exchequer.

For coal in the Margerita area of Assam, chalaans are issued by Coal India Limited, while for that in Meghalaya, these are issued by the Director of Mineral Resources, Government of Meghalaya.

Recently, a CID team visited Barak valley in conection with its investigation into the coal syndicate. The team seized two coal-laden trucks at Digharkhal in Cachar district. During the visit, the team seized some chalaans which were suspected to be fake.

Talking to The Sentinel, Baisya said, “We’ve some doubt as to whether these chalaans are true or fake. We suspect some of them to be fake. If it’s so, it’s a major crime because there’s royalty loss. We’re investigating.”

Meanwhile, five of the six transport officials of Kamrup (Metro) district, who were summoned by the CID in connection with the seizure of coal-laden trucks in the Beltola area of Guwahati a few days back, appeared before the investigating team on Friday. Initially, they had not turned up. The officials are enforcement inspector Chitra Kumar th, assistant enforcement inspector Tapuram Bora, assistant enforcement inspector Anurag Sandilya, assistant enforcement inspector Bedanta Gogoi and enforcement checker Madhab Neog.

The CID interrogated them over the coal syndicate operation in the State.